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Whether or not she'd intended to do so, Koorie had failed to shut the lounge door completely. Either she'd tried and not noticed, or simply hadn't cared if it was open or not, the door had drifted open, allowing her voice to carry lightly down the hallway, catching the ear of a certain security guard.

Unable to ignore his curiosity, as well as something more that urged him on to find out what poor soul expressed such sorrow so beautifully, he crept closer to the lounge door, careful not to make a sound. Daring only the briefest glance around the doorframe, his eyes opened wide and he quickly ducked back out of sight.

Had she seen him? Heard him? Hayden froze, mind racing with the possibilities. Despite their lukewarm, if one could even call it that, parting, he wasn't exactly comfortable about the idea of another encounter with Koorie. Somehow, he didn't think it'd be a very warm reception or exchange.

Nevertheless...he still had his regrets. No matter what had transpired between the two of them last time, he knew he'd said and done things he regretted even now. Sighing softly, he rubbed his eyes and shook his head slowly.

Wuss.

Shut up.

It was only right. Even if she didn't want to listen or accept it...

Clearing his throat nervously, Hayden stepped into the doorway again. "Ms. Shizuku?" He opted for the polite stance, hoping he'd get a chance to at least try to speak before she decided to take his head off. Either literally or figuratively. "I hope you are well?"

He cringed internally at the last word, knowing all too well how hollow it sounded. All the more reason to rush ahead with what he wanted to say.

"Err...I'd hoped to offer an apology for my behavior the other day. It was...completely uncalled for."

Not completely. The b***h started it, you know.

Shut up. Isn't she going through enough? Or will be...

The problem is that I DO care...

...hell if I know why though.

So many things Hayden wanted to shoot back. About how he hadn't brought her here. About how she was the one so insistent on coming here herself. About how he'd tried to warn her, even risking his own...

But, instead he said nothing, only staring back sadly. Granted, he met her furious gaze when many would have looked away, but it wasn't with equal fury or anger as it might have been before. Simply...sadness...guilt...pity...a multitude of emotions he'd never hope to be able to express, let alone to her.

Still, he was a bit surprised she'd figured it out so quickly. How did she know she'd never leave this place again?

"I...I'm sorry. I'm sorry for my part in all this. I didn't want...I mean, I had no ch--"

He bit back the stammering words, realizing he sounded pathetic. He certainly felt like it. He waged a silent war in his mind, needing to say something more, but not knowing what words to use that wouldn't sound like yet another empty excuse.

Why had he let this one, of all of them, get to him like this? Maybe...it was because she was the only one that managed to actually get under his skin. Enough so that he almost lost it. Almost...became one of them. And it scared him, right to the core.

And did you think you were immune? Face it...after enough time, anyone would start changing. Adapting to fit in. Even in a den of Mightyena. Gotta' survive, right?

But at what cost?

"There's more at risk than my f#&$in' jo--" Dammit, he'd snapped again. Biting back his statement, he fought with an odd mixture of anger and embarrassment, finally giving in to the shame, though not so much at his outburst as something else...

None of her business.

Damn straight.

Not sure whether to be relieved or alarmed that the normally-arguing voices were agreeing on something, Hayden simply stared back for a few minutes. Why in all hell did he insist on coming back in here? He could have just continued on his way, going about his own business without dealing with any of this nonsense. And now...things were taking a turn for the worst possible situation.

Wonderful.

Wasn't life grand?

Even if he wanted to tell her anything, and with his past history with Koorie and her attitude, he wasn't sure he wanted to...he couldn't. There was too much at risk. And yet...he didn't have to tell her, did he?

Sighing tiredly, he glanced around to remind himself of any security cameras in the area. None in sight, but that didn't mean they weren't here somewhere. Crossing his arms, he leaned back against the doorframe in what he hoped was a seemingly-casual manner.

"You're right. Nothing we can do now will change anything. Destiny moves as consistently as a Charizard's flame..." He was speaking riddles now, hoping she might pick up on the fact that he couldn't speak clearly even if he wanted to. "But then again, who's to say what the weather holds for tomorrow. Only the Castform may know for sure."

From what he'd picked up on so far, Koorie was no fool. If anyone in this place were to figure this out, she might be able to. She certainly had the determination for it.

"Rain Dance may bring showers and gloom, but...if the Solrock brings about a Sunny Day, however, perhaps the Pidgey may still sing..." Hayden shot Koorie an enigmatic smirk.

Come on...tell me what you already know. Even if I can't talk, I can tell you if you're right or not...

"Sorry," Hayden muttered in response to his outburst of cursing earlier. Since when had he started doing that anyway? Yet another example of why he needed to start watching his mouth and what tried to slip out.

His attention peaked at the sudden change in subject, though he expected there really was no change. Only a method of communication. No way she really wanted his help with song writing. "Sure," he answered casually, adding a shrug for good measure as he crossed the room. "I spent a little time in a band in college..."

He hesitated momentarily before taking a seat next to her. He'd not been this close to her without physical violence ensuing, but at the same time, there was conspiring to be done. He'd have to take what opportunities presented themselves to get information out safely if he could. Otherwise, all was lost. His time was likely growing short as it was, especially with his recent furtive actions to attempt a plan of getting Karen out of here. It'd be nice if he could get more than just one out...

His eyes darted over the neat script, quickly processing their meaning and forming his response. "Alright, let's see, this line here...the rhyme scheme..." He picked up the pencil to respond, barely paying any attention to what he was actually saying, since that was only a ruse for any cameras or microphones hidden in the room. His handwriting wasn't nearly as neat as Koorie's, but it was easily legible and that was all that counted.



He hesitated a bit before answering her last question. Finally...



He set the pencil down, struggling to keep his mind on the ruse. "So yeah, just a couple suggestions for other lines," he offered weakly, glancing sideways towards Koorie, an eerie look in his eyes. He couldn't believe he was doing this...rebelling so blatently in front of the cameras...

And yet, considering what else he'd been up to lately, was this any worse? Not hardly.

He could already feel the phantom noose tightening, threatening to close off his air supply...

"Ah, right...right..." Hayden forced a smile, even going so far as to laugh a bit. "Yeah, it's been a while since I've done this. I'm still pretty rusty. Though, even rusty, collaberations can still be helpful."

Taking the journal, he read and nodded seemingly thoughfully for a moment before joting more 'notes.'



Eyes darting furtively towards the door, Hayden swore he could have heard someone outside just now. No, probably just his paranoid imagination.

If this were a cartoon, Hayden would have been sweating bullets by this point. He really did not want to be the one responsible for spilling the whole story to the subjects, not only because of the possible retaliation either. Even if he didn't want to though, it was too late now. He reached for the journal again, mumbling yet another song-writing-related excuse for any possible witnesses. His writing was enough to betray his nervousness.



Eyes darted towards the door once more out of habit.



He stopped writing, watching Koorie for a reaction. He hoped he hadn't misplaced his trust in the young woman. Sure, she hated him...but, that hate extended to all of CRONUS if he wasn't mistaken. She couldn't be a mole...there was no way. She wouldn't betray him to the others.

Would she?

No. She couldn't. She was her own side, from what he could see. She wouldn't side with these lowlifes anymore than she'd side with him.

Of course, he also hoped she had enough self-control not to betray what he'd just told her with a reaction.

While he could sense her immediate fury, Hayden was relieved that Koorie didn't show more of a reaction. They'd have both been pretty much screwed in that case. He wouldn't be any good to anyone.

"Alright, now, about this chorus," he continued muttering, knowing how important it was they keep up the act.



Even if there was no sign of anyone catching on to what they were up to, Hayden felt as if the ceiling and walls were closing in, trapping the guard with his betrayal. Though, if he'd never actually been 'loyal' persay to CRONUS, was it really 'betrayal?'

Either way, his notes were getting shorter and more to the point, as if afraid of being discovered.